The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Just brought home a nice VV-VIII that is pretty grungy. Thank goodness for Howard Restor-a-Shine!

Another before-after set....

Looks really nice! Remarkable how much some simple cleaning will do! Please post final pictures!
Bob

I have a mid-teens VV-VIII and mine runs kind of noisy, I am curious how your motor sounds? I am wondering if I this is normal?

Victrolacollector wrote:I have a mid-teens VV-VIII and mine runs kind of noisy, I am curious how your motor sounds? I am wondering if I this is normal?

My motor is quiet as a mouse, very unusual for this type of motor as they are almost always a little noisy. A noisy motor of this type is usually a spindle gear that is adjusted a little too high or low on the governor shaft, or it could be a worn spindle gear such that the teeth no longer smoothly mesh with the governor shaft worm gear.

Before tinkering with the governor, you should make sure the springs are completely unwound then remove the spring barrels. This will allow you to adjust and test the adjustments without winding it up.

Good luck!

I was curious how Howard's works. Is there any prep before you use it? Do you just try your best to match the color? Been thinking of trying it on some stuff but kinda scared lol

I'm guessing this is the same as restore a finish? Or maybe I'm confused.

EdisonWizard wrote:I was curious how Howard's works. Is there any prep before you use it? Do you just try your best to match the color? Been thinking of trying it on some stuff but kinda scared lol

I'm guessing this is the same as restore a finish? Or maybe I'm confused.

Howard Restor-a-Shine is a polishing compound, different from their Restor-a-Finish. The 'Finish' comes in many wood hues and neutral. First, though, I like to use the 'Shine' to clean the surface. Don't know why, but the 'Shine is not usually on the shelf with the 'Finish'. My last 8 cans I bought off Amazon.

It cleans down to the shellac and polishes the shellac. I also use it on enameled metal surfaces. The 'Finish' is great for blending off color blemishes.

P.S. - It also requires significant elbow grease.

here is a cleaning progression.

the years of soot , tobacco smoke, and pollution really can screw up a 100 year old finish over time.. With a lot of elbow grease and luck we can bring the finish back rather well. It looks good and came out well. It is nice to brig it back to original with out modifications. Tom B

Got the exterior done, still working on the interior. The top had something black on it, I scraped some of it off all the way down to the wood and the wood is black, too. Just going to have to live with it, not up to a full refinish...